Is the manumission of an absent person whose whereabouts are unknown valid?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Zihar
Primary text
The manumission of an absent person whose absence is absolute (qitā‘unā’ al-khabar) is invalid. This is because the life of the absent person cannot be verified, making the validity of the manumission uncertain.
Supporting text
If the news of the absent person has not ceased (i.e., he is merely out of contact but not completely lost), the manumission is valid because it is considered a sound manumission.